Page 15 of Elite Metal: Warriors

“Well, it’s not Veronica.”

His brow quirked.

“No one calls me Veronica.” No one ever had. Except Mom. And she was gone. “I’m Roni. And I assume you aren’t Steve.”

“Nope. Do you have any idea how much danger you’re in?”

“I’m a waitress. At a bar. In a Podunk town.”

“We both know that’s not true.” He reached into her suitcase and pulled out her press pass, dangling it between his fingers.

“Did you go through my underwear too?”

He smirked. “Didn’t need to. You’re not very good at hiding the evidence.”

“Evidence? This is hardly a crime.” Might as well go on the defensive. She hated that she felt her walls rising again. But hell, she needed them.

His expression tightened. “What are you investigating here?”

“Sandstorms.”

He growled at her.

It pissed her off that she liked it. “I’m doing a story on…biker gangs, of course.” She thought she managed a sincere tone but judging from his expression, he didn’t buy it. Well, hell. Might as well go balls to the wall. “Oh, all right. I’m investigating a secret elite military operation working out of those bunkers north of town. Are you a spook?”

“Where did the lead come from?”

She pressed her lips together.

“Where?”

“My editor. Okay?”

“And where did he hear about it?” Damn, he was sexy when he was adamant. But it didn’t matter. All her good will toward him was shattered. She wasn’t telling him anything. Even if he tortured her. Fuck him and his snooping around in her purse.

She lifted a shoulder.

He studied her, taking in her obstinate stance, and then sighed and scrubbed his face. But it wasn’t an expression of his weakness, or an inclination that he was giving up. It was a weary resolution. “Get dressed and pack up your stuff. You’re coming with me.”

She glared at him. “Am I?” He’d have to carry her, kicking and—

His cheek bunched. It sent a shiver down her spine. “You can come willingly…or not. But you’re coming with me.”

She swallowed. “So there is a secret elite military organization working out of those bunkers?”

“I’m not saying that.”

“You just did.” She frowned at him. “Besides, you can’t make me come against my will.”

“Can’t I?” Her belly flopped at his resolute tone. “It’s three a.m. There’s no one in the parking lot. No one to see me carry you out…”

“Carry me?”

“Bound and gagged.”

She blew out a breath. “Don’t be ridiculous.”

“And I can do it with no one being the wiser. They teach us these things…” He shot her a wicked grin. “In secret elite-military-organization school.”